The Westlock Golf Club’s annual Men’s Open Tournament drew golfers from across the northern Alberta to town last weekend to compete for the top spot.
The level of play was very competitive, course pro Kevin Lynes said; the most competitive he’s seen in years.
“My thoughts are it’s probably the strongest field we’ve ever had, talent-wise here,” he said. “Our championship flight was three handicaps and lower, and in years past it’s been as high as nine handicaps in the championship flight.”
A total of 83 players took part in the three-day tournament, with several local golfers doing well in their own particular flights.
In the end, however, it was Fort McMurray residents who dominated the championship flight with Kyle Pardy earning the top honours and Ryan Coish only five strokes back in second place.
Pardy scored 73 on his first day, 72 on the second, and finished Day 3 with an 80, for a total of 225, averaging three over par for the tournament.
Pardy’s second-round 72 was the only even-par round of the tournament, Lynes said. That meant for another year no one at the men’s open was able to set a new course record, which currently sits at a two-under 70.
“We had a very talented field this year, but the superintendent had the rough longer and the greens were quick and the course record was not broken,” he said.
In the other seven flights, which are determined by the golfers’ handicaps, five Westlock club members came out on top, Lynes said.
“In our club, our guys here held their own,” he said.
Logan McGlone, who also works at the club, finished first in the second flight after posting a 247 through the tournament’s three rounds.
Cal Adkins posted a 249 to claim the third flight title, Jim Wold’s 254 was good enough to win the fourth flight, Ken Smith took the fifth flight with a 261 and Eugene MacIntyre won the sixth flight with his 278.
Lynes said the fact five of the eight total flights were won by Westlock club members speaks to the familiarity those golfers had with the course.
“Local knowledge is obviously an asset when you’re playing out here,” he said, adding they are aware of shortcuts on the course and where it’s best to hit the ball and where it’s best to avoid.
All in all the tournament was successful, he added, with the weather cooperating and a strong feeling of sportsmanship across the board.
When the golfing was finished, all the guys were happy to stick around for meals and drinks.
“There was good camaraderie, everybody had a good time,” he said.
